""This is our last run," Wittman remarked to ESPN. "If we don't win this fight, we're not going on...we're not going to go out there and be a gatekeeper and look at money fights and s--t like that. He's a goal setter, and his mentality...we're in his house, and his family's having a dinner, and I have that 'true talk' and I'm talking to his family and I'm not talking to him. The way he ends it, he's like, 'it's not over, coach.'""
""That's the key to Justin. He's very unique. He would fight over and over and over, but he knows he's got to be there for the family, he's got to be smart and take care of his health. But, we win this belt, my shoot-to-the-moon type of goal would be, let's go out there and repeat defenses. Repeat defenses. Obviously, this is an interim title fight, so we're not the champ yet. So, we'd have to go win that belt next.""
Justin Gaethje has earned 14 post-fight bonus checks across 14 UFC appearances and claimed the symbolic BMF title in 2023 by defeating Dustin Poirier. Gaethje remains without an undisputed lightweight championship. An interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett headlines UFC 324 on Paramount+, potentially carrying greater stakes due to Ilia Topuria's struggles outside the cage. The 37-year-old has hinted at retirement and does not expect many fights left. Head coach Trevor Wittman labeled the upcoming run as their last and said they will not chase gatekeeper or money fights if they lose. Wittman emphasized winning the interim belt and pursuing repeat defenses while prioritizing family and health.
Read at Sherdog
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]